Scope and Content

The records of the local branch of the Communist Party, covering the period 1970-1989, comprise minute books, correspondence and papers relating to national and district congresses. Amongst the notable items is an 8ft by 3ft banner, inscribed with Communist Party of Great Britain Hull Branch, an interview with Frank Swift on the history of the branch and papers relating to the events in 1956 which resulted in the establishment of the journal The Reasoner by E P Thompson and John Saville.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Communist Party of Great Britain was established in August 1920. The Party was based upon the philosophy of Karl Marx (1818-1883) and was inspired by the Russian Revolution of November 1917. The Communists believed that before long revolution would over throw Capitalism and end the exploitation of the working class. The Communist Party supported the Russian Revolution and for many years accepted Russian funds in order to spread its ideas. During the next 70 years hopes of revolution faded as the Communists remained a minority party. However, despite its small size the party maintained its international links and continued to campaign for improvements in the lives of working people.

In 1991, when the Soviet Union broke up, the Communist Party of Great Britain decided to disband and became the Democratic Left, a left-leaning political think-tank rather than a political party.